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Medium Weight 20" match 5.56/.223 barrel's: Where are they?

Bakwa

Bakwa

Prophetic Marksman
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Minuteman
    • Mar 22, 2017
    1,800
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    FL
    #1
    Long story short:
    I'm looking for a medium weight 20" 1/7 twist quality AR barrel and they don't seem to exist.
    Normally the answer is turn key WOA, Craddock, or CLE [RIP], but not this time.
    What are the options out there?

    Details:
    I'm building a general purpose 20" AR in 5.56/.223 that needs to be usable [weight wise] in the field. But it also needs to be accurate and able to shoot groups without heating up too quickly.
    I'm going for something like an accurized M16A5 concept or lightweight SAM-R... So no flutes.

    Criteria:
    I need the barrel to be match quality, be under 2.75lbs, have a .750 gas block diameter, and I'd prefer 1/7 twist.
    Everything I can find seems to compromise on one or more of my criteria.

    This Lilja looks like the closest thing I can find, but I'll have to accept the 1/8 twist, which should be fine for 77gr pills, but I'd prefer 1/7. Also, it's a premium. 💲

    What else is there?
     
    #4
    dgheriani said:
    Why not a fluted SAM-R from Craddock?
    Click to expand...
    That's another one I've considered.
    I really prefer no fluting.
    I have an outdated irrational fear of fluting messing with barrel harmonics in a negative way. That and aesthetically I don't like it.
    This one may have my attention though, considering the fluting will be under the HG and I know Craddock's tend to shoot.
     
    Last edited:
    #7
    White Oak SPR 20"

    www.whiteoakarmament.com

    White Oak 20-inch SPR Barrels

    White Oak 20-inch SPR Barrels Our ever-popular 18" SPR barrel is now available in a 20" version! We have redeisgned our traditional 20" barrel to incorporate it into the SPR family by adding the Ops Inc step to the muzzle. We start with the same match
    www.whiteoakarmament.com www.whiteoakarmament.com

    Their 18" barrel is right at your limit of 2 lbs, 12 oz, so this 20" would be slightly heavier. Their fluting on the 18" saves ~5 oz, so that should bring it back under your weight target.

    Green Mountain makes a 20" barrel that comes in at 2.05 oz. I'm not sure this would qualify as "match grade", but they're generally considered to be a good barrel maker for the money.

     
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    #9
    drewthebrave said:
    White Oak SPR 20"

    www.whiteoakarmament.com

    White Oak 20-inch SPR Barrels

    White Oak 20-inch SPR Barrels Our ever-popular 18" SPR barrel is now available in a 20" version! We have redeisgned our traditional 20" barrel to incorporate it into the SPR family by adding the Ops Inc step to the muzzle. We start with the same match
    www.whiteoakarmament.com www.whiteoakarmament.com

    Their 18" barrel is right at your limit of 2 lbs, 12 oz, so this 20" would be slightly heavier. Their fluting on the 18" saves ~5 oz, so that should bring it back under your weight target.

    Green Mountain makes a 20" barrel that comes in at 2.05 oz. I'm not sure this would qualify as "match grade", but they're generally considered to be a good barrel maker for the money.

    Click to expand...
    Thanks for the recommendations.

    A WOA would fit the bill perfectly if it made weight without needing to be fluted. A may end up going with a fluted craddock or woa anyways if I can't find something else. I'm just trying to avoid fluting.

    The GM barrel is a good lead. But gov profile might be too light. I know, I'm looking for the Goldilocks barrel. Nothing else will do though.

    Cheers
     
    #10
    Proof cut rifled.

    20" .750 GB 1/7
    Part number shown. It's right at 3lbs though.
    1729644750397.jpeg

    1729644795677.jpeg
     
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    #11
    Bakwa said:
    Thanks for the recommendations.

    A WOA would fit the bill perfectly if it made weight without needing to be fluted. A may end up going with a fluted craddock or woa anyways if I can't find something else. I'm just trying to avoid fluting.

    The GM barrel is a good lead. But gov profile might be too light. I know, I'm looking for the Goldilocks barrel. Nothing else will do though.

    Cheers
    Click to expand...
    Honestly a fluted Craddock or WOA seems like the answer. Gives you the profile you want at the weight you want. You'll never see the flutes...
     
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    #17
    357Max said:
    Proof is the easy button IMO, but here's another often overlooked option. Don't hear much about these.
    The profile comes in a little under your weight requirement @ 2.553lbs.
    Std. stock is 8T, but can be ordered in 7
    View attachment 8530503
    View attachment 8530504
    Click to expand...

    sinister said:
    Lothar-Walthers are very good in my experience, both the .223s and 308s.
    Click to expand...
    I've forgotten about Lothar-Walther. They're an OG.
    That might be exactly what I'm looking for.
     
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